NDC Premier Retailer Accreditation Guidelines & Terms (“TERMS”)

Last Revised: August 20, 2025

The Natural Diamond Council (“NDC” or “our” or “we”) Premier Retailer Accreditation Program (“Program”) is intended to highlight best-in-class retailers through the grant of the use of the Premier Retailer seal—a trusted mark of excellence and quality (“Seal”), granted to retailers who meet these five (5) criteria (“Accreditation Criteria”):

1. Showcases a curated selection of natural diamonds, graded by the world’s most reputable grading laboratories;
2. Maintains rigorous diamond education across the store team to provide best-in-class guidance to customers;
3. Delivers an exceptional in-store experience by presenting the unique values of natural diamonds;
4. Utilizes in-house diamond screening tools to ensure customer confidence in diamonds offered; and
5. Transparent demonstration of ethical sourcing and responsible business practices. 
   

For the purpose of the Program, the process through which retailers will be awarded the Seal will be referred to herein as “Premier Retailer Accreditation.”

Individual submitting the application on behalf of a retailer must be at least 18 years of age, an authorized representative of the retailer, and have the authority to make the attestations set forth herein and in the application and to otherwise agree on behalf of the retailer to these Terms and our decisions, which are final and binding on all matters relating to the Program.

APPLICATION PROCESS: To apply for Accreditation, retailer must visit naturaldiamonds.com/premier-retailer-accreditation-apply-online/ and follow the directions to complete and submit the application form in its entirety. All information provided as part of the application must be true and verifiable. As part of the application process, retailers must attest to the following:

• I certify that my store showcases a curated selection of natural diamonds, with diamonds over 1ct graded by the world’s most reputable grading laboratories (e.g. GIA, GSI, IGI).
• I certify that my store has a policy in place to screen diamonds and validate natural diamond authenticity, either through in-house diamond screening technology, 3rd party screening, or a supplier policy for the screening of all natural diamonds.
• I certify all key diamond sales professionals have completed recognized diamond education courses. For those who have not yet completed formal training (e.g., GIA, AGS, or other accredited industry programs), I certify they have completed two Diamond Learning Center modules of their choosing.
• I certify that my store has a written ethical sourcing policy (and can provide same for review) that ensures all natural diamonds and diamond jewelry are sourced through a supply chain that complies with international and local laws, respects human rights, and minimizes environmental impact. 
• I certify the clear communication of natural diamond values through the clear separation and labeling of natural diamonds from non-natural diamonds across instore merchandising, collateral, advertising, and promotion. All resources must observe national and international laws and guidelines on definitions (e.g. FTC, CIBJO). 

ACCREDITATION AND USE OF SEAL: Applications will be reviewed and Premier Retailer Accreditation provided as NDC determines, in its sole and absolute discretion.

An authorized representative of retailers who are granted Premier Retailer Accreditation will be required to sign an agreement outlining the terms for use of the Seal. Accreditation is valid for 12 months. If a retailer wishes to renew their Accreditation, they must reapply every 12 months.

NDC will conduct mystery shopping annually to ensure Premier Retailers are maintaining these standards consistently. NDC will provide Premier Retailers with their respective mystery shopping results and will support areas of improvement where required and relevant. Should the mystery shopping results be below average, as determined by NDC in its sole discretion, Premier Retailer Accreditation may be retracted and suspended until standards are met and attested.

Use of Seal grants NDC the right to use the Premier Retailer’s name, logo, store location(s), and images for advertising, publicity, promotional and trade purposes in any and all media, now or hereafter known, in any manner, worldwide in perpetuity, without compensation or additional consents from retailer and without prior notice, approval or inspection, and to execute specific consent to such use if asked to do so.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY/GENERAL CONDITIONS:  By submitting an application, retailer agrees to release, discharge, hold harmless and indemnify NDC, its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising and promotion agencies, and the respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and representatives of the foregoing (collectively, “Released Parties”) from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind (including, without limitation, arising from claims based upon copyright infringement, trademark infringement, invasion of privacy, defamation, or right of publicity) to persons, including death, or property resulting, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from your participation in the Program and/or the use of the Seal.  Program is void where prohibited. All applicable federal, state and local laws apply.

Released Parties are not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, damaged, inaccurate, stolen, delayed, misdirected, undelivered or garbled applications, emails, or other communications of any kind; or for lost, interrupted or unavailable network, server, Internet Service Provider (ISP), website, or other connections, availability or accessibility or miscommunications or failed computer, satellite, telephone or cable transmissions, lines, or technical failure or jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected transmissions or computer hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Program, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Program, the reviewing of applications, or in any Program-related materials.  Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Program.  Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to any person’s device related to or resulting from participating in this Program or downloading materials from or use of the website.  Persons who tamper with or abuse any aspect of the Program or website, who act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or who are in violation of these Submission Terms, as solely determined by NDC, will be disqualified.

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE THE WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE PROGRAM MAY BE IN VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, NDC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, INCLUDING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

NDC reserves the right at its sole discretion to suspend, modify or terminate the Program at any time and for any reason. 

These Terms may be updated at any time at our sole discretion. Any changes we make to these Terms or the Program will be effective immediately on notice, which it may give either by posting the new Terms on the site or via e-mail. Your continued participation after such notice will be deemed acceptance of such changes. You should review these Terms prior to submitting a new application to ensure familiarity with the most current version. You will always be able to tell when the version was last updated by checking the “Last Revised” date at the top. All questions or disputes regarding the Program, including without limitation, those involving eligibility, participation, fraud and abuse will be resolved by us.

The Program shall be governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

DATA COLLECTION: Information collected in connection with the Program will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy, available at naturaldiamonds.com/privacy-policy/.

QUESTIONS?

For additional questions, you can reach us at premierretailers@naturaldiamonds.com.